Possible Real Madrid transfer targets for summer 2019

Luka Jovic

Real Madrid’s present go to striker Karim Benzema has received a lot of flak in the recent years due to his performance and goal scoring form receiving high profile criticism from the likes of ex-Barcelona striker and current Match Of the Day host Gary Linekar on Twitter. And it is completely understandable why he is receiving this much of scorn from Madrid’s own supporters managing a dismal 5 league goals in his last return season. This is the same number of goals scored by Real Madrid’s deep lying playmaker Tony Kroos. A suitable replacement could be Luka Jovic who has burst on the international scene this season scoring 14 leafue goals with 3 assists. He has scored every 87 minutes in the Bundesliga and this is the reason why he is the top scorer now in the German league. The Serbians goals to minute ratio is vastly superior to established world class striker Robert Lewandowski. Jovic has also done great in Europe with him finding the back of the net 5 times.

He is the second highest goal scorer in the Europa League. But what is more impressive is that he has scored these 5 goals in 266 minutes which is a goal every 53 minutes. Jovic has a 2.2 shot average in the penalty area and this is complemented by his 54% conversion rate which is nothing short of clinical. With a Madrid side which can create so many opportunities Luka Jovic might be the perfect candidate for their style of play as his clinical finishing could be the difference between Madrid being a good side and a great side. Real Madrid is need of an out and out striker and Jovic is the best fit.

Matthijs de Ligt

Frankie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt are Ajax’s dynamic dutch duo. Frenkie de Jong has already signed for Barcelona and the club has announced his imminent arrival during summer. Rumours are the they plan to buy Matthijs de Ligt to bring the pair together in Camp Nou this summer. If Real could swoop in the middle and get Matthijs de Ligt they would be denying their arch rivals a formidable duo while gaining a really talented centre back to their ranks. Sergio Ramos is in the first team now but he is 32 and cannot go on forever. Matthijs de Ligt can cover for Ramos for a while before ultimately being Varane’s long term partner in the defence. His profile is very similar to Ramos with him being very composed on the ball and being a towering presence in the air. He has impressive stats averaging a 91.4% pass accuracy and 3.1 duels won in a game. He is capable of bringing the ball out of defence and push it upfield which is essential nowadays for a centre back in a huge team. The skills that he would add to Madrid’s repertoire which would give them a lot of protection against crosses into the penalty area. Matthijs de Ligt is a power horse at the back and had recently frustrated Robert Lewandowski during Ajax’s 1-1 at the Allainze Arena.

Eden Hazard

Hazard was rumoured to have been joing Madrid for quite a long time now and with Cristiano Ronaldo gone this might be the right choice to make. The departure of Ronaldo has left a hole in Real’s left wing and they are also lacking goal scoring capabilities and creativity on the field. Hazard fits the bill perfectly right now for Madrid. Hazard desperately wants to move up to the next level in clubs and Madrid is in dire need of a quick fix on their front. If Hazard moves to Madrid either Gareth Bale or Asensio/Vinicus Junior is going to get the axe from the team. The Welshman is frequently unfit for plays and Asensio’s inability to kick on and develop though needs to be dealt with. Hazard has been phenomenal in the English Premier league this season with him scoring 12 goals and 10 assists.

He is also great on the ball managing a 3.3 dribbles per game in the Premier League. He also drew 3 fouls a match. Hazard can be that player for Madrid who carries the ball from midfield to the attack. Madrid’s dribbling upfront has been dismal with Asensio averaging 1.2 dribbles per game while Bale has an average of 0.8. Chelsea might have to let go of their star player as the end of his contract is nearl.

Neymar Jr

Neymar is the obvious choice for Madrid right now since the Brazillian fits the bill perfectly. Neymar operates down the left flank which has been left empty in the recent past. He has comparable goals output and he has similar commercial output competing with Ronaldo on Marketibilty and exposure. Neymar has tremendous stats in Ligue 1 with 13 goals and 6 assists in just 13 appearances. He has completed an avg of 4.8 dribbles per game and 3.2 fouls drawn on him. He also has 2.8 key passes a game and 1.2 through balls a game. Neymar therefore is a complete package being the master dribbler, great chance creator and a huge goal threat. Neymar’s ability is beyond question with him serving up a goal tally of 289 goals for clubs and 6 for country. Neymar has won a historic treble with Barcelona. But the problem will be economical with a move by Neymar drawing a record transfer fee assuming PSG wants to deal at all regarding this.

KylianMbappe

KylianMbappe is the one to talk about. He is arguably the best young striker in the world right now. He is immensely talented and with a World Cup win at 2 seemingly has the world at his feet. He has a knack for finding the back of the net and would go a long way to fix Madrid’s goalscoring problems. Also he is already a name to be reckoned with and therefore his signing would pacify the Galactico fans somewhat. Mbappe is destroying Ligue defences and has until now netted 18 goals and has been a part of 6 more in just 16 games played. And given that he is averaging 4.1 shots per game with 2.9 of them coming from inside the penalty area this form of his is no fluke. He fits the Madrid side perfectly with his capabilities of taking the ball and creating his own chances. His blistering speed is a menace for defenders and he would be capable of stretching out the most stubborn and resolute of them defences. The only difference between Neymar and Mbappe is age with Mbappe winning on that front. An Mbappe signing would see them get atleast 13+ years of service or atleast a high resale value and therefore all things considered, KylianMbappe would be the perfect successor to Cristiano Ronaldo’s throne.